IT MUST BE FRIDAY because we’re posting PART III of my interview with David Newman–that means we have 3 more posts from David! Come back next week for the rest of the series, and don’t go far: We’ve got features coming up with Jason Falls (Social Media Explorer), and Mark Schaefer (Businesses GROW), and Richard Hodapp (Decision MAPping) to name a few. For now, though, read up–and let me know what you think! Send questions and comments! I’m excited about Part III, as I feel this is really GREAT advice… short and to the point.

David Newman: Well, we left off at “I“, which stands for delivering Information without invitation. Social media sites and your blog are not a dumping ground for your old brochures or articles that you could never get published.

Even rock-solid, current, highly relevant information is NECESSARY but NOT SUFFICIENT to fuel your thought leadership platform and build your empire as a thought-leading small business.

Here’s a secret – the internet does NOT need more information posted on it. Not from you. Not from me. Not from anyone.

How to do it right: An effective social media campaign will share information of standalone value and then INVITE a two-way (or 5-way or 17-way) conversation around that information.

How? Simple: Ask questions, seek engagement, invite involvement.

Offer value, seek opinions, spark conversation – and ask the most powerful question in sales AND leadership AND relationships: “What do you think?“

Action Question: When’s the last time you invited a 2-way conversation on your blog or your social media accounts inviting others to post their ideas, opinions, and feedback?

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Remember to come back next week for the last 3 installments, and of course, you know that running an SBE is a long distance race, don’t be an idiot [sic] and run it alone!